cognitive
KOG-nih-tihv
Cognitive (adj) means relating to mental processes like thinking, learning, memory, and reasoning. Example: “Puzzles and crosswords are good exercise for your cognitive skills.”
adj
1
Relating to mental processes like thinking, learning, memory, and reasoning.
"Puzzles and crosswords are good exercise for your cognitive skills."
"The test measured the children's cognitive development."
"Cognitive decline is a common concern as people age."
How to use cognitive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with thinking and mental processes, rather than feelings or emotions.
Common pairings
cognitive ability
cognitive decline
cognitive behavioral therapy
cognitive skills
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Word forms
- Plural
- cognitives
- Comparative
- more cognitive
- Superlative
- most cognitive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Puzzles and crosswords are good exercise for your _____ skills.
Etymology
From Latin cognitus, "known," the past participle of cognoscere, "to get to know."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for cognitive
See all rhymes for cognitive →Frequently asked questions
What does “cognitive” mean?
The word “cognitive” means relating to mental processes like thinking, learning, memory, and reasoning. In plain terms, to do with thinking and mental processes, rather than feelings or emotions.
How do you pronounce “cognitive”?
“Cognitive” is pronounced KOG-nih-tihv (/ˈkɑɡ.nɪ.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “cognitive” in a sentence?
Here is “cognitive” used in a sentence: “The test measured the children's cognitive development.”
What part of speech is “cognitive”?
“Cognitive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “cognitive” come from?
The word “cognitive” comes from Latin. From Latin cognitus, "known," the past participle of cognoscere, "to get to know.".
Is “cognitive” a common word?
“Cognitive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
What is the difference between "cognitive" and "mental"?
Both relate to the mind, but "cognitive" specifically concerns thinking processes such as reasoning, learning, and memory, while "mental" is broader and also covers emotions and mental health. Cognitive functions are one part of mental life.
What is the difference between "cognitive" and "intellectual"?
"Cognitive" refers to the mental processes of thinking and knowing themselves, while "intellectual" often implies higher reasoning, education, or the life of the mind. A task can be cognitive without being especially intellectual.
What is the noun form of "cognitive"?
The related noun is "cognition," the mental action of acquiring knowledge and understanding, and the adverb is "cognitively." So cognition is the process and cognitive describes anything relating to it.
What are common collocations with "cognitive"?
"Cognitive" frequently pairs with words like "cognitive ability," "cognitive function," "cognitive development," "cognitive decline," and "cognitive load."
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